4. Diversify, Diversify, Diversify!
God promised King Solomon wealth ( see 2 Chronicles 1: 11-12). As the king of Israel, Solomon was entitled to the taxes of the land. He could have relied solely on those taxes as his source of wealth. After all, he had the power to increase them at will. But he did not do this. And yet, despite being a hard man ( 2 Chronicles 10:4), King Solomon had the wisdom to diversify his sources of income and in so doing walk in a level of wealth never seen before.
King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. Then Hiram sent his servants with the fleet, seamen who knew the sea, to work with the servants of Solomon. And they went to Ophir, and acquired four hundred and twenty talents of gold from there, and brought it to King Solomon.
1 Kings 9:26-28 (NKJV)
For the king had merchant ships at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.
1 Kings 10:22-25 (NKJV)
From the above Scripture, it is clear that King Solomon was an astute businessman. Not only did he participate in international trade, but he also made certain that those who sought his wisdom paid for it. He did not hand it down for free. He translated his wisdom into wealth.
In the role of a teacher, he emphasizes this same principle and explains to us why we should diversify:
1. Protect yourself from calamity:
Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land
Ecclesiastes 11:2 (NIV)
2. Increase your chances of success
Sow your seed in the morning,and at evening let your hands not be idle,for you do not know which will succeed,whether this or that,or whether both will do equally well.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 (NIV)
Your Turn
If you lost your job or your business, would you be able to survive or would you slide into poverty immediately?
We live in such uncertain times that it is only wisdom to take heed to King Solomon’s advice. We each need to increase our revenue streams. We cannot afford to rely solely on our salaries or on our business profits.
Today I challenge you to start thinking about how you too can increase your sources of income without compromising your main source of income. After all, King Solomon never risked his throne for the sake of business. He found a way to marry his interests and responsibilty, and you can as well 😊